Communicating about the Internet…and (of) Things like that
- 15
- November
- 2015
Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a very stimulating evening entitled, ‘Digitally Connected’ hosted by Network Cork and IT Cork at the Clarion Hotel. It was a very informative evening which highlighted opportunities and risks associated with the exponential growth of the internet, particularly as it becomes closer and closer to our lives. […]
read moreSpeech rate and public speaking
- 07
- September
- 2015
There is a big difference between speaking and reading…No, this isn’t as obvious a statement as it sounds, because, even though we know that speaking and reading are different activities, we can sometimes forget this when giving a presentation. Think about it, if you’re an efficient reader, how many words can you read in a minute? While […]
read moreFreeing the Voice: Doing less to get more
- 18
- March
- 2015
When people come to see me for help with their voice, I both listen to their concerns and experiences of speaking and also observe how they use their voices across different speaking tasks. The two most common complaints are difficulty with projecting the voice, and/or vocal fatigue, i.e. the voice not lasting for the job […]
read moreTake a deep breath…does this help or hinder?
- 25
- January
- 2015
I was privileged to do some voice coaching sessions and run a voice workshop over the weekend with some very enthusiastic and engaging participants. It was fascinating the number of times that the topic of ‘taking a deep breath’ came up over the weekend. It got me thinking about the sorts of reasons that people are often […]
read moreVoice problems and teaching…an occupational hazard?
- 19
- January
- 2015
When I run courses for teachers, I ask about their knowledge of voice care and their previous experiences of voice care training. Given the demands of being a professional voice user, I’m amazed at how the general feedback is that there is a lack of training in voice care or voice projection either at university or […]
read moreVocal fatigue…what it is and what you can do about it
- 11
- January
- 2015
What is vocal fatigue? Vocal fatigue is when the voice deteriorates with use. This could be after a day of teaching, an evening of singing, or after a few hours talking in a noisy environment. What causes vocal fatigue? While vocal fatigue can be a symptom of a specific voice problem, including physical voice problems, […]
read moreHow to lose your fear of public speaking
- 12
- November
- 2014
On Thursday 13th November from 10.30-11.00am, Clonakilty library will be hosting a talk by John Keating, Distinguished Toastmaster, on the 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking. Sounds like a very worthwhile and interesting talk.
read moreUnaccustomed as I am to public speaking….some useful tips
- 10
- October
- 2014
Some of us are natural public speakers, many more of us are not. When we’re nervous, this can affect how we speak, as we stumble over words or struggle with a weak voice. If you fall into this category, then here are a couple of tips which can help you feel more at ease, and […]
read moreVoice and stress
- 03
- March
- 2014
“A lump in my throat…” “Feelings getting stuck in the throat…” “Choking back the tears…” Many metaphors associated with strong feelings use words relating to our voice or throat. Our body holds and expresses emotions, and our voice in particular is connected at a basic level to our emotions. Just think how easily you can […]
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